Sample Shots

The following sample shots were taken with a D3x (in DX crop mode) and RAW-converted via CaptureOne 4.8.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window).

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Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

100

Focal Length

17.0mm

Aperture:

f/3.5

Exposure

1/1000s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

100

Focal Length

50.0mm

Aperture:

f/2.8

Exposure

1/1250s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

100

Focal Length

50.0mm

Aperture:

f/8.0

Exposure

1/125s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

32.0mm

Aperture:

f/8.0

Exposure

1/320s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

50.0mm

Aperture:

f/4.5

Exposure

1/250s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

38.0mm

Aperture:

f/5.6

Exposure

1/160s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

50.0mm

Aperture:

f/4.0

Exposure

1/500s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

50.0mm

Aperture:

f/2.8

Exposure

1/640s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

17.0mm

Aperture:

f/5.6

Exposure

1/500s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

44.0mm

Aperture:

f/5.6

Exposure

1/250s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

50.0mm

Aperture:

f/8.0

Exposure

1/250s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

17.0mm

Aperture:

f/2.8

Exposure

1/1250s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

25.0mm

Aperture:

f/8.0

Exposure

1/125s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

31.0mm

Aperture:

f/5.6

Exposure

1/13s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

50.0mm

Aperture:

f/8.0

Exposure

1/125s

Make

NIKON CORPORATION

Model

NIKON D3X

ISO Speed

200

Focal Length

17.0mm

Aperture:

f/8.0

Exposure

1/100s

Verdict

The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 SP XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] VC is a very promising lens based on its specifications. However, it falls somewhat short of the high expectations especially when considering the excellent performance of its non-VC variant. The biggest weakness of the lens is the rather soft corner/border performance at large aperture settings. The quality increases when stopping down and it's certainly possible to achieve very high quality results. The level of distortions and vignetting is about average for a lens in this class. The good news is the unusually low degree of lateral CAs which increases the subjective quality perception at the image borders quite a bit. The quality of the bokeh is generally decent for a lens in this class.

The build quality of the lens is good although not professional grade ( as can be expected in this price range). The AF is very fast whereas the short focus path isn't exactly suitable for precise manual focusing. The primary new feature - the VC (vibration compensation) - works very well and its effectiveness is easily comparable to Nikon's native solution (VR).

However, when considering all aspects the Tamron 17-50/2.8 VC only makes sense if both speed and stabilization are required in a single lens. If VC is not high on your priority list, the still available non-VC variant gives better results at a lower price.